Question Period Note: Situation in North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon

Crisis in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon

• Canada has frequently expressed to the Cameroonian authorities its serious concerns regarding the crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of the country and the importance of respecting human rights and ensuring humanitarian access.

• Canada welcomed the National Dialogue organized by the Government of Cameroon, and appeasement measures announced on the margins of the dialogue, such as the release of detainees. We also encourage the implementation of the recommendations resulting from the dialogue.
• Canada intends to continue its diplomatic efforts in this regard and to strongly encourage Cameroon's authorities and secessionist groups to engage in the ongoing Swiss-led and Canadian funded mediation initiative in order to find a consensual, peaceful and durable solution.
• In 2019, Canada provided $6.75M to support humanitarian assistance operations in Cameroon. Canada is also providing $10M to UNICEF to improve equal access to education in Cameroon for girls and children in regions affected by humanitarian crises.

Cameroon is facing an internal crisis, with violent separatist movements, and governmental repression in its two English-speaking regions (Northwest and Southwest).

The crisis began with strikes and protests by the Anglophone community - mainly lawyers and teachers - against their perceived marginalization by the Francophone central administration. The slow response from the authorities, the violent repression of initial protests and the high number of arrests, including of moderate leaders, have caused a transformation from peaceful protests and demands to a movement tinted with anger and violence, with some calling for a return to federalism, and even secession. Since 2017, the crisis has deteriorated with armed secessionists and Cameroonian armed forces both perpetrating brutal attacks and human rights violations. It has caused the death of 3000 people, more than 500,000 internally displaced persons and 40,000 refugees in Nigeria. A National Dialogue led by the Government was held from September 30th to October 4th 2019, however, no representatives of separatist movements participated, and violence is still ongoing. Two announcements by President Paul Biya marked the final days of the dialogue: the end of proceedings against 333 detainees arrested in connection with the crisis, as well as the release of a number of opposition political party leaders and activists arrested in January 2019. In collaboration with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), Switzerland is engaged as facilitator in a process of negotiations between Cameroonian opposition groups and the government. This initiative remains the only one that tries to bring together the government and secessionist groups. So far, Canada is the sole financial support of this Swiss-led initiative.

A delegation from Cameroon's National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism visited Canada from June 23 to July 2, 2019 and met with Minister Joly. Former Parliamentary Secretary Matt DeCourcey visited Cameroon in April 2018.

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